Drama as Nandi governor reclaims land grabbed by tea multinationals

There was drama in Keteng area Nandi County after Governor Stephen Sang accompanied by top county officials and surveyors conducted an operation to re-possess public utility land allegedly grabbed by tea multinationals and some influential politicians.

The 4 acre piece of land which initially served as cattle dip for residents of Keteng, was allegedly grabbed by powerful forces in 2003 and converted into a tea plantation.

Governor sang literally took matters into his hands, armed with a power saw, he cut down tea bushes at the Kibware Tea Plantation planted on the land said to have been grabbed by individuals.

Earth movers also uprooted the cash crop flattening others along the way.

Angry residents armed with power saws and earth movers moved into the farm ready to flatten tea bushes.

Sang said that he was acting on complaints from members of the public who decried that the four acres of land reserved for the establishment of public utilities had been grabbed.

At some point, the governor was engaged in a near fist fight with one of the farmers who tried to resist the takeover.

The residents who watched the events burst into song and dance to celebrate what they termed as victory for the majority who they say had been barred from accessing the land.